Poland Changes Government After 8 Years... Will South Korea's Defense Contract Be Affected?

Possibility of Reversing Policies and Projects Promoted by the Previous Government

On the 11th (local time), the Polish parliament officially confirmed the nomination of Donald Frantiszek Tusk as the new prime minister. This marks the end of the 8-year rule of the Law and Justice Party (PiS), which is anti-European Union (EU) and nationalist right-wing.

According to foreign media on the day, the Polish lower house confirmed Tusk's nomination as prime minister with a vote of 248 in favor and 201 against.

Earlier on the same day, a confidence vote for the current prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki of the ruling PiS party was rejected.

In the October parliamentary election, the opposition coalition of three parties secured a majority with over 70% support. However, President Andrzej Duda re-nominated Prime Minister Morawiecki, but the parliament rejected the confidence vote for Morawiecki, officially confirming Tusk as prime minister.

After the nomination was confirmed, Prime Minister Tusk said in a speech, "Together, we will set everything right," adding, "Starting tomorrow, we will correct the wrongs so that everyone can feel as comfortable as if they were at home, without exception."

The PiS, which was ousted this time, had strengthened authoritarianism since coming to power in 2015 and frequently clashed with the EU. On the other hand, the opposition coalition led by Prime Minister Tusk is expected to fully reintegrate Poland into a pro-EU stance.

After the opposition coalition takes power, there is also a possibility of reversing various policies and key projects promoted during the previous government. Simon Hołownia, chairman of the lower house and a member of the opposition party Poland 2050, said in an interview with local media the day before, "Agreements signed by the interim PiS government may become invalid."

Accordingly, concerns have been raised that existing defense contracts between South Korea and Poland could be affected. Foreign media also speculated that this could impact South Korea's defense exports.